75.00 % Chapter 16 Five years . Sebastian had spent five long years trapped in a hell of his own making a prison forged from regret , pain , and relentless self - deception . Eventually , he uncovered the truth about that fire . The body had been a mannequin . The gasoline , purchased by Vivienne herself . She had staged her own death - planned down to the last detail - and broken free of the gilded cage he had once locked her in , for good The realization nearly destroyed him . Like a man possessed , Sebastian unleashed every resource at his disposal , scouring the globe for the faintest trace of her . He needed to find her . Needed to tell her " I'm sorry . " Needed to drag her back into his world if he had to - to spend the rest of his life making amends . But Vivienne vanished without a trace . She cut off every connection to her past . Even her parents responded to his desperate inquiries with nothing but cold , impenetrable silence . His relationship with Serena had long since collapsed into an empty shell . What he had once mistaken for love had revealed itself as hollow the moment Vivienne disappeared . Serena's so - called innocence curdled into vanity . Her passion became ceaseless demands . Her dependence turned into suffocating emotional blackmail . Sebastian eventually moved out of the master suite , paying her off with money and resources , but never fully cutting ties - she was little more than gum stuck to his shoe . Because all his energy , all his will to live , had been consumed by the search for the woman he had lost . One seemingly routine international merger brought him to a quiet , picturesque town in Northern Europe - Skylake Town . Negotiations were tense . The other company emphasized environmental responsibility and sustainability , clearly disapproving of Sterling Group's aggressive tactics . During a break , the lead negotiator suggested visiting a newly established sustainable design studio in town - saying the founder's philosophy might inspire them to find common ground . Sebastian agreed , mostly to clear his head . The studio occupied an old brick building , yet inside it radiated modernity and quiet elegance . Sunlight streamed through floor - to - ceiling windows , the faint scent of fresh wood and varnish hanging in the air . The walls displayed innovative works of sustainable architecture - crafted from reclaimed materials , yet breathtakingly artistic , Sebastian barely listened to the tour guide , his gaze roaming lazily across the gallery . And then his breath caught . His heart stopped - then plummeted into boiling chaos , Althe far end of the hall , near an open worktable , stood a woman . She wore a simple oatmeal cashmere sweater and black trousers , her figure slender but poised . She leaned slightly toward an older craftsman - Master Rowan - discussing something with quiet concentration . The afternoon sunlight gilded her in a warm halo , yet there was an unmistakable distance in her bearing , a calm that seemed to keep Chapter 16 N WebNovel 4.3 * FREE I knew you were trouble when you walked in Google Play OPEN 80.00 % the world at arm's length . Vivienne . It was Vivienne . 2 S st Even after five years , even with her entire aura transformed - no longer the timid , soft - spoken wife he once knew but a woman of serene confidence - he could never mistake her . She was etched into his bones , burned into every sleepless night of his torment . " Vivienne ?! " The cry tore from his throat , hoarse , cracked , almost inhuman - filled with disbelief , terror , and a desperate hope he could barely contain . He lunged forward , ignoring the startled stares around him , and seized her wrist in a death grip . Warm . Real . Not a dream . " You're alive ?! Really alive ! " His bloodshot eyes locked on her face , as though he could devour her with his gaze . " I knew it . I knew you weren't gone ! " The woman startled , her head snapping up . Sebastian's heart hammered violently . It was her . But the eyes that had once been filled with love , sorrow , and finally deathly stillness were now cold . Distant . And filled with displeasure at being touched . She wrenched her wrist free - hard , with a flick of unmistakable distaste and stepped back . " Sir , you're mistaken , " she said coolly , her voice calm and firm , utterly unrecognizable from the timid tone he remembered . " You've got the wrong person . " Sebastian's chest tightened . " Impossible . You're Vivienne Hartley you're my A tall figure stepped between them , blocking his path.- The man was dressed simply but impeccably , his demeanor polished yet protective , his gaze sharp as a blade . " This gentleman , " the man said evenly , voice polite but edged with steel , " whoever you are - step back . You're frightening Elena . " Chapter 16 In "Someone Loved is Never Lost" by CrushReel, readers are immersed in a captivating CEO drama that explores the intricacies of love, loss, and redemption. Set against the backdrop of corporate power struggles and personal relationships, this ongoing novel delves deep into the lives of its characters as they navigate the complexities of both the boardroom and the heart. Themes of ambition, betrayal, and resilience intertwine with complex character dynamics, making for a compelling narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. CrushReel's unique storytelling style brings a fresh perspective to the CEO genre, offering a blend of emotional depth and strategic intrigue that sets this novel apart from others in its category. What makes "Someone Loved is Never Lost" special is its ability to seamlessly blend high-stakes corporate drama with heartfelt human connections, creating a story that resonates on multiple levels. Available to read at CrushReel, this novel promises a literary experience that will leave readers eagerly anticipating each new chapter.